Outside the Beltway

Things are heating up very quickly in Catalonia.

John McCain has been standing out from his fellow Republicans largely by unleashing on President Trump, and it is unlikely to end anytime soon.

Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy has said he will act to remove Catalonia’s pro-independence leadership from power.

President Obama spoke out yesterday against his successor and the America he has created.

Without mentioning his successor by name, former President Bush delivered a stinging rebuke to Trump and Trumpism.

Donald Trump is continuing to up the ante in his rhetorical war against one of America’s most fundamental freedoms.

A complicated concurrence to Steven Taylor’s recent postings.

More thoughts related to Gill v. Whitford and the problem of extreme gerrymandering.

And even moreso when they are consciously created by the winner.

After Sunday’s referendum, the government of Catalonia says it may declare independence from Spain as early as Monday. However, it’s likely to be a completely meaningless act.

The Supreme Court appears split on the question of whether or not partisan Gerrymandering is unconstitutional.

More evidence of apparent Russian-backed efforts to interfere in the election.

As the date for Catalonia’s disputed independence referendum nears, tensions are rising between Madrid and Barcelona.

Some more interesting post-election commentary from Hillary Clinton.

Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer poked fun at himself on last night’s Emmy broadcast, and the political pundits are all in pearl-clutching mode because of it.

In less than a month, voters in the Catalan region of Spain will be voting whether to remain part of Spain or assert independence.

A Federal Appeals Court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Gary Johnson and Jill Stein regarding their exclusion from Presidential debates.

Another Cabinet member rebukes the President for his comments about Charlottesville.

The pardoning of Joe Arpaio was distasteful and an affront to the Rule of Law, but it was completely within the powers of the President and should not be a ground for impeachment.

President Trump continues his war on one of the most important guardians of American democracy.

Donald Trump gave a campaign-style speech in Phoenix last night and reminded us of everything that’s wrong with him.

The dangers of the tyranny of the majority have only magnified.

Yes, even Nazis must have their rights to peaceful speech and assembly protected.

Authorities are being second-guessed over their handling of Saturday’s protests. Virginia gun laws are the more obvious problem.

More stupid, irresponsible rhetoric from the President of the United States.

A Duke history professor uncovers “stealth plan” by “fifth columnists” who are seeking to overthrow democracy in the U.S. for their plutocrat masters.

Thoughts on the quality of our democracy.

The FARC have disarmed. Now to the hard part.

Foolishly, President Trump is rolling back part of President Obama’s opening to Cuba.

Maryland and the District of Columbia are suing President Trump based on alleged violations of two provisions of the Constitution that have never been litigated before.

President Trump is reportedly considering at least partly reversing one of the great foreign policy successes of the Obama Presidency.

Some thoughts on presidential interruptions.

President Trump’s speech on Islam was a change of tone. However, as critics noted, it was short on substance and is unlikely to accomplish anything.

#RulesMatter

The infamous former sheriff and current Trump Homeland Security official committed academic fraud.

A Constitutional coup d’etat is not the way to solve the Donald Trump problem.

South Korea has elected a new President who breaks with his impeached predecessor in favoring dialogue with the North.

How close to success is the National Popular Vote initiative? (Spoiler alert: not close).

As usual, an attempt to explain congressional behavior brings us back to the issue of our basic institutions. The way we elect congress matters.

Wayne LaPierre’s perverted view of the world in two sentences.

An assessment of the 45th President’s first 100 days.

By a narrow margin, Turks voted for some significant changes.

The tiny Balkan nation of Montenegro is set to become the latest member of the NATO alliance despite the fact that there is seemingly no good reason for it.

More evidence of ties between the Trump campaign and Russian interests.

Two more losses for the Trump Administration.

South Korea removes a corrupt leader by peaceful means.

Well, at least someone has a backbone.